Signal and alarm system



Dec. 26, 1922. 1,439,761

C. J. ROHLAND ET AL. SIGNAL AND ALARM SYSTEM. ORIGINAL FILED FEB. 5,1915, 4 SHEETS'SHEET I Inventor's:- wzinesaes Q ;3 h Za byg w O W. 2n. Qw/wo I Attorneys.

Dec. 26, 1922. 1,439,761

\ C. J, ROHLAND ET AL.

' SIGNAL AND ALARM SYSTEM.

ORIGINAL FILED FEB, 5v I9I5, 4 SHEETSSHEET 2 enters:- wzzfness es C. $75 01? 822175 J 12 WeeJacvr 376M. by

Dec. 26, 1922. 1,439,761 v c. J, ROHLAND ET AL.

SIGNAL AND ALARM SYSTEM.

ORIGINAL FILED FEB. 5. 1915. 4 SHEETS'SHEET 3 F "J K K 22 4-2 Ga:

7a 45 H 51 5a O 72 668$ cififieeioc/r. 4 iv jwQ. v Arney.

Dec. 26, 1922.

C. J, ROHLAND ET AL. SIGNAL AND ALARM SYSTEM. omcmm. FiLED FEB. 5/1915,4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 eelocfx Inventors:- capo/2 Arneys.

III I Patented Dec. 1922.

UNWED S TIATES cunr 1. nonnannpor'wononsrna,'ivrassaonnsnr'raann 30min.wnnnnocn, or r rrrzwIL IAa -nnw HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNORS, BY Milenaassremvrnnrs, T0 JOHN" H. WHEELOGK, or woacnsrna, MASSACHUSETTS. I

' J-if srenannnnnnnnn sYsTEMi Application and February 5, ,1915, seiauNo. 6,349. Renewed. A :rii's0, i9 2 1;' Serial na'iaaear.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GURCL, J; Roi-ILANn tively, of the German Empireand of the United States, residing at l vorcester," in the county of\Vorcester. and State ofMassachus etts, and Fitzwilliam, in the countyof Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, re-

spectively, have invented anew and useful Signal and Alarm System, ofwhich the following is a specific'at1on'.,

This invention relates to a signal and alarm system, particularlysuitable for fire alarms, but capable of other uses. The

principal objects thereof are to provide a simple vand compactarrangement so that all the mechanism requlred forgiving severaldifferent alarms can be arranged with in a small space; to provide meanswhereby when a call box or" thermo-switch or the or the like a troublesignal, "audible or vis ible, will be operated constantly so that theoperator or any other person" at the central station. cannot possiblyoverlook the tact that the system has been rendered active and has notbeen fully restored to its norliltll'COIlClltiOll. Another feature ofthemvention is the arrangementfof these parts in'sucha way that-if alteraflsignal is dis-' played and while the same is 'being'sounded, anotherbranch of the system is rendered active, this will not interfere withthe 0peration of'the first signal and its alarm, but will simply cause asecond signal to be, displayed at the annunciator. The invention alsoinvolves impro-vements in theconstruction and arrangement, as wellhasthe :combination, of the parts.

I In carrying out the principles set forth herein'anintermittent currentconveyoris employed preferably of the nature at that represented in thePatents Nos. 1,178,431

and 2 patented April 4, 19l6,'-and"thermoswitches may alsobeemployed'which may be of any desired kind.

Reference is to be had to 'theaccompanyingdrawings, in which-- i Fig. 1is'a'dia'gram of a system constructed in accordance with this inventionshowing the wiring;

Fig. 2 is affront elevation of the device, partly in section;

"Fig; 3 is a sectional view on the line ,Fig. 4 :is' an end elevation ofthe drop signal mechanism;

F g; 5 is a plan of a portion of the same" showing the trouble circuitcontrolling mechanism; r i 1 -F1g. 6 is a front elevation ofthe clockwork controlling device, and I 7 is an, end vlewshowing in elevat on thecontacting magnet for. the alarm and connected partsw The drawings showthe invention as used wlth a closed circuit whlch lsprete'rable,

closed circuit arrangement. I

but the invention is "'notplimitedtto the Referring first to thediagrammatic View,

1 it will be seen" that the mains A; are

connected by a double-acting switch B with either one or two storagebattery circuits G and 1C, one being the operating'circuit and the otherthe, emergency one, usually required. Connected directly withone of: the

mains are a phiu'ality ofthermwswitches'D, the deta ls oi which are notshown herein. "Theyloperateto open or closea circuit upon the melting ofa J fusible ,metal member. These can be arranged in series or multipleor both, and the latter system isshown herein; A plurality of call boxesare also shownwhich can be arranged in any desired They are shown eachas being connected in series with a seriesof thermo-switches D.

Each of the branch. circuits inwhieli some of these thGIIDO'SWItClIGSand a call boxare located is connected in series with an electro-magnetF and these magnets are 0011- nected in multiple with each other andback tothe line. Each magnet when excited'holds up a steel armature'Gwhich in turn holds a "selectornrn 4-6 up in inoperative position.-

Each of these armatures'is provided with line through a second alarmstop magnet -tures and magnets.

N inseries.

In this figure annunciator or selector contacts are showndiagrammatically at H and numbered 1 to 8 inclusive. The branch circuitsare periodically connected by the operation of the clock work with oneside of the line as will appear hereinafter. The other side of the lineis connected through an electro-magnet P with the first one of theannunciator contacts H to be operated when the device is put intooperation. This magnet when excited closes the alarm circuit Q, in whichare alarm devices R.

Referring now more specifically to the selector mechanism shown inFigs'.2, 3 and 4,.it' will be seen that the branch circuit numbered 1 in thediagram. is constantly connected with the disc 17 also numbered 1, witha shaft 41 and with the magnet P.

' Tn stationary position around this shaft ll and capable of oscillatingslightly about the shaft as a center. Each disc 423d pro- 'vided withinsulating surfaces 4-5 arranged in a circle but differently spaced soas to provide for preventing different ones of the plungers 42'contacting with their respective discs. Each disc has a radial arm 16 tothe bottom of each of which is pivoted one of the steel armatures G.Springs tT individually connected with them tend to swing all ofthesearms down. These arms, however, are normally held up by the arma- Eacharm is provided with a projection 48 and these projections are normallyfree to drop in slots 49 in a N'is deenergized and one of the armaturesG dropped, this plate is moved by the spring G-tinto the position shownin Fig. 2 so as to hold up the ends of those arms that have betweenpairsof the plungers 422 and keeps others of these plungers insulated. Inother words this sets the selector to control the giv ng of an alarm. Inthe position shown in the drawings, the armature G having a signal #23has dropped, the'rest of the arms being held up by their arinatures G inthe position shown in 3, and also illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. t.It is obvious that the parts will remain iii-this condition as long asthis branch circuit is broken anywhere, and consequently during thisperiod if one ofthe other branch circuits is broken that armature G- isalso free to drop, and does so. v But this simply displays the secondsignal without operating the alarm be cause the corresponding arm isheld up by the lockingplate. Y The only way in which an armature thathas dropped or the arm thereof can berestored .is by lifting it by hand.and it will not stay up unless that branch circuit has been restored,

The device as shown herein is arranged to work on a closed circuit andwhen one of the thermo-switches D is rendered active by the melting ofthe fusible material whicl ordinarily makes the circuit through it orwhen any one of the call-boxes E is operated, that particular branchcircuit through its magnet F is interrupted and that ail-mature G whichthat magnet normally holds up when excited is permitted to drop. Theseries circuit through contacts and 56 is also interrupted by the fallof this armature.

The clock work I provided with a magnet Y which is normally excited andholds itsarmature up to it, as shown in Fig. 6. This'also holds thewheel 5. and consequently the clock. work, from rotating in normalcondition. Now when the circuit is broken by the fall of one of the arms-16 this magnet is ile-eneihgizeil and its armature left free. A Spring58 in Fig. (3 then forces back an insulating plunger 59 and movesthearmature back, swinging it on its pivotso as .to allow the clock work tostart. See dotted lines. Fig. 6.

Although the mechanism shown at the bottom of Figs. 2 and 3 and in Fig.7 is illustrated and described in the first of the above mentionedpatents, and thereforehas not been described in detail herein, we'slislldescribe the operation substantially in thelanguage used in thatapplication z-Upon the turning of the shaft 14; by the clock work. onefinger will come into contact with the tooth 18 the corresponding disc17. anda little later the. finger 29 will ride up on the correspondingtooth 20. No current with its finger 23,. a branch circuit will becompleted through two plungers 42 in the will flow however until thecircuit is closed at the terminals 33 and 34 by the action of the finger29. The current will be established from the line through contacts333et, arms 32, shunt 4&0, brackets 15, shaftl-l, one of the discs 17the finger 23 that has come into contact with its tooth 18,-selector'oiannunciator contacts 42, magnet P- and the lineA. It is to beobserved that the finger 29 makes it contactiwhile no current is flowingand the same is true of the several fingers 23. Consequently, no arc ismade at these fingers upon theclosing of the circuit and the usualdifliculties due to'the arcing at these points are entirely avoided.Moreover, the current is brokenat the terminals 33 and 34 .while afinger 23 is still incontact with its tooth so that the arcing there isentirely avoided. Arcing at this time between the finger 29 and tooth 20is prevented by the shunt'40. This completes the circuit through themagnet P. and draws the armature thereof up to the magnet and closes thecircuit Q so as of the alarm.

The number #23 is the one, displayed, and

consequently the disc 4C3, having its contacts arranged to givethat-signal, isin operative position. As the tooth on the disc #2 nextcomes into position to make contact manner that has been described. Thisconnects that line with a conductor rod' #:2 which is also incommunication with the line through magnets P. Thus' a second strokesounded in the same way as #2 and the signal 23 is thus completed duringone complete rotation of. the shaft 14. 1f the arts are so arranged thatthe shaft vlitrotates a plurality of times for each operationof one ofthe arms 46 the sounding of the alarm 23 will be repeated accordingly.

Fig. 1 shows a troublecircuit by the magnet N, which we call a secondalarm stop magnet. When everything is all right on the system and nosignal isudiss played the current flows through this magnet and attractsthe end of the lever T in opposition to a spring S, and this causesacontact at X to be broken. 7 But when the circuit is broken at one ofthe contacts 56 through the operation of one of the armatures G themagnet N is immediately rendered dead and the spring S forces the,

lever T back to the position shown. which closed the contact at X. Thiscompletes the "stantly to show the operator the condition to give thefirst stroke I g held up by themagnets, but not by the lock- IC operatedgiven as arranged for. In this case a gong is shown at M. This troublesignalwill continue to operate until everythingis re- 7 storedto normalcondition.

There is, another waym which this trouble signal can be given. Theautomatic movement of'the armature of the magnet Y to start the clockwork also closes a contact V and'completes a'second circuit through thebattery L, and signal M. The result of this is to cause this troublesignal to be given constantly at all times while the clock work isoperating, ornot fully wound up, and also at all times when the currentdoes notflow through the magnets N and Y. In either event this signalwill be given conof the mechanism. I I

Y From what has been said it will be obvious that when the system is innormal'condition ready to operate, the armatures G are all ing plate, sothat they can 'be released by the magnet and allowed to drop. Thesearmatures hold up their respective arms 46 and therefore hold the discs43 in inoperative condition, that is, with their'insulating surfaces 4-5in contact with the plungers 42.

The magnets N andY are both energized so that the clock work is heldfrom operating and the trouble circuit prevented from operating. Thebreakage of one ofthe branch circuits in which the call boxes E andthermo-switches D areloeated immediately releases and'displays a signalG. This has several immediate consequences. In the first place it letsdown that arm 46 and swings the corresponding disc into such positionthat the selected contacts are made and ready to transmit the current tothe magnet l whenever the shaft 14 rotates around' to the properposition.

ing contacts Stand thus de-energizes the magnets Y and N. The formerreleases its armature and thus automatically releases and starts theclock work so that the shaft operated constantly until the line isentirely restored co normal condition. [This trouble signal will keepoperating until the thermoswitches D and call bOXQS E are all restoredto normal condition and until all armatures It also breaks the maincircuit through the conduct that may have dropped are moved upwardly byhand so as to-come under the influence of their respective magnets andheld up, thus also restoring the respective arms and discs. Furthermore,if the clock is left unwound the detent thereof cannot enter the notchin the wheel 57 and consequently the contact V cannot be opened by themechanism. Therefore, the clock has to be wound up by turning the wheel57 around to the position shown in Fig. 6 before the trouble signal willstop operating.

It is to be understood also that, after one armature Gr, as for example,23 has dropped as shown in Fig. l and the mechanism is in fulloperation, if some one turns in a call from another line, or it is doneantomatically by the melting of a fusible switch plug, that armature Gwill also swing down on its pivot and be displayed at the centralstation. But as the locking plate 50 has previously moved to the leftthe arm 46 connected with this second armature is locked and cannotdrop.v Consequently the operator is warned that another line is introuble, but no alarm is given for this second line. The reason for thisis that it frequently happens in case of a fire that some person willturn in an alarm from some near by station which does not'in'dicate asecond fire. The operator at the central station in this case can havean opportunity to find out whether there is a second fire, and if thereis not, no further alarm is given and nothing need be done by theoperator except to restore, the two arinatures instead of one, after thealarm for the first one has been given. However, if there is a secondfire the operator can, give that alarm by first restoring the firstarmature to proper position and holding it up, then operating the plate50 by hand so as to allow the second arm to drop down and then releasingthe plate so as to allow it to lock the first arm up with the others.Then the clockwork is simply wound, up and allowed to start and thesecond signal will be given.

Although we have illustrated and described only a single embodiment ofthe invention and shown it as applied only to a closed circuitinstallation, we are aware of the factthat many modifications can bemade therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from thescope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to all the details herein shownand described, but what we do claim is i 1. In an electric alarm system,the combination with a main circuit and a branch circuit, of anelectro-magnet in the branch circuit, an armature for the magnet,contact members connected with said main circuit beyond the branchcircuit arranged and adapted to .be connected when said armature isattracted by the magnet so as to complete the main circuit, whereby whenthe armature is released the main circuit will be broken beyond thebranch circuit, an alarm signal, a selecting device in series with themain circuit and in multiple with the branch circuit controlled by thereleaseof said armature, and means whereby said selecting device willcontrol the operation of said alarm signal and cause it to be operatedto give a selected signal.

2. In an alarm system, the combination with a main circuit, having aplurality of branches in multiple, an electro-magnet in eachv branch,and an armature adapted to be held in a certain position by each magnetwhen energized and to move to another position when the magnet is(lo-energized and provided with means for displaying a signal when inone position, of a selector having an arm for each armature movabletherewith, and mechanically connected with the selector, contact membersarranged and 'adapted to be engaged by each arm when its armature is inone position for completing the main circuit through the arm, wherebywhen any arm is in one position, the main circuit will be broken, and analarm device, said selector being connected with the main circuit andcomprising means for controlling theoperation of said alarm device, andcans ing it tobe operated a predetermined number of times, with orwithout pauses, so as to give a signal representing a number, wheneversaid arm is moved to one position.

3. In an electric alarm system, the combination with a circuit having aplurality of branches in parallel, a plurality of electromagnets eachconnected with one of said branches and in parallel with each other, anarmature for each electro-magnet arranged to be held up when the magnetsare energized and adapted to be displayed when released by thedeenergizing of the magnet, said circuit having contacts arranged inseries, means connected with each arn'iature for completing the circuitthrough said contacts when all. of said armatures are held up andwhereby when one of them. is displayed the circuit will be broken atthat point, an alarm signal, and a selector connected with, and adaptedto be set by, said armatures, said selector having means whereby theoperation of said-alarm signal is controlled by it.

4:. In an alarm system, the combination of a selecting device comprisinga plurality of series of contacts, a plurality of conducting memberseach in a position to be engaged by one series of contacts, means fornormally holding said conducting members in a position in which thecontacts will be out of contact therewith, and in position in which whenturned slightly, a circuit will be made through the contact members atcertaint points, a circuit having branches provided with means lorcontrolling the respective holding means, means n each of said branchesfor interrupting that branch and releasing the contact memberconnectedsurfaces thereon, means for normally hold-i mg each ,dlsc n a positionin which thecon-' tacts for engaging it will be in contact with saidinsulating surfacesthereof the insulatingsurfaces of each disc being insuch posi-] tion that when thedisc is'turned slightlya; circuit will bemade through the jclisc atcertain points, a circuit having branchesprovided .withmeans for controlling the respective disc holding means,-means in eachi;of

said branches "for interrupting that branch and releasing the discconnected therewith,

an alarm signal, and means controlled by said discs for operating saidalarln'signal.

i 6. In an automatic alarm system, the com-' bination of -a selectlngdevce comprislng a' plurality of contacts'arrangedin a circle, a.

plurality'ot discs, each disc arranged lIlpOSl tion to be engaged by onecircle of sa1d contacts said discs l121VlI1' lIlSHlEttHl and -con+ducting surfaces thereon, an 'elcctro-magnetj for each of said discs, anarmature adapted to be attracted and held up by each of saidelectro-magnets when energized, means con-o nectin each armature withonezot said discs for holding it'in. position when the respec+ tivemagnet is energized in which the'contacts engaging it willbe in contactwith in sulating portions of its surface, the con;

ducting surfaces or" each discbe'ing'insu'ch position that when therespecti'vemagnet is,

deenergized and the armature released, itwill cause the disc to beturned to a position in which a circuit will he made through the disc atcertain points, ahcircuit; having branches each ofWlllCl'l'COIIHQClJSiViillI one of said'magnets and having vineansineachot said branches {or interrupting that branch and deenergizing theinagneuconnected therewith, an. alarm signal, a motor, and

means controlled by said discs for operating said alarm signal.

7. In an automatic alarm systenn'the-com bination of a selecting devicecomprising a plurality of conductors, each conductor-haw ing a pluralityof contacts connected there-v with, a plurality of discs eachdiscarranged in position tobe engaged by one seriesof' said contacts,said discs havingjinsulating and conducting surfaces thereon, means0011:,

nectedwith each of said discs for normally holding it in a position inwhich all ofthe conductors engaging it will be in contact,

with insulating portions of its surface, the

conducting surfaces of each disc being in such position that when thedisc isturned electrical connections willhe made through the disc atcertain points, means for releasingsaid-holding means and causing thedisc to? turn to make said electricalconnections,

means whereby one of the discs can be turned to'permit the passage ofcurrents thro'ughthe disc, an intermittent current conveyor havingseparate current conveying elements each'connected with one of saidcontacts, and an alarm device constructed tobe operated. in accordancewiththecou nections niadeby the discs and contacts.

,SLIn an automatic alarm system, the combination of a selecting'devicecomprising a plurality of parallel rods, each rod having a plurality vofcontacts connected, therewith, said contacts being arranged in aplurality of circles, in difierent; planes, a plurality of discs, eachdisc, arranged in position to be engaged by one circle of said,contacts, said discs being mainly of conducting material but havinginsulating surfaces thereon, means for holding each disc in a positioninwhich all of'the contacts engaging it will be in contact with insulatingportions of its surface, the uninsulated-surfacesof each disc-bemg insuch position that whenthe made through the disc at certain points, acircuit having branches,means controlled by disc is turned, electricalconnections will be eachbranch for operating the respective holdingmeans, means in" each of said branches for" interrupting that branchwhereby one of the discs will be turned to permit, the passage of acurrent through the disc and alongcertain of said rods, a plurality ofbranch circuits each connected with one of sa d rods, an interm ttentcurrent conveyor having separate current conveyor eleine'ntseachconnected with one of said last named branch circuits, and an alarmdevice constructed to be operatediuaccordance with the connections madebythe discs in said selecting device.

it selector for an alarm system com-- prising aplurality of parallelrods, each rod havinga plurality of contacts connected. therewith, saidcontacts being: arranged in a plurality o'tcircles in difierent planes,a plurality of discs, each disc arranged inpositionfto be engaged by onecircle of said contacts,said discs being mainly of conducting materialbut having insulating surfaces thereon, means for holding each disc in.a positionin "which all of the contacts nections will be madethrough-the disc at certain points, means for operating the respectiveholding means, a plurality oi branch circuits each connected with one ofsaid rods, and an alarm device constructed to be operated in accordancewith the conthe discs in said selecting normally holding it in aposition in which all of the conductors engaging it will be in contactwithinsulating port-ions of its surface, the conducting surfaces ofea-ch disc being in such position that when the disc is turnedelectrical connections will be made through the disc at certain pointsmeans for releasing said holding means and causing the disc to turn tomake said electrical connections, and whereby one of the discs can beturned to permit the passage of currents through the disc.

11.- ,A selector for an alarm system comprising a series of oscillatablediscs having conducting and insulating regions, difi'erently arranged onthe respective discs, a plurality of series of contacts, each adapted'to engage the conducting regions of onelof the discs when the disc isturned to operative position, an arm connected with each disc foroperating 1t, each arm having a conductor thereon insulatedfrom the arm,a contact point mounted in position to engage each conductor and makeelectrical contact therewith, when the arms are'in inoperative position,a circuit. connected with said contactpoints, and means controlled bysaid circuit for controlling the passage of currents to said contacts.

12. A. selector for an alarm system comprising a series of independentlyoscillatable discs having conducting'and insulating regions differentlyarranged on the respective discs, a plurality of series or contacts eachadapted to engage the conducting regions of one of the discs whenthe'disc is turned to operative position, and n'ieans for controllingthe passage of currents to said contacts. I

1,3; In an alari-u system,'the combination with a, signal movable to twopositions, means fornormally holding said signal in one; of saidpositions for releasing it to permit it to moveto itsother position whensaid means is rendered inoperative, av se-' lector, means operated bythe movement of said signal from one position to t-he other for settingthe selector; to control its operation, means controlled: by theselector for giving a' selected alarm, and an auto arranged to move andbe displayed when said means is rendered inoperative, a selector,motormeans for operating said selector, means controlled by the visiblesignal for starting the ymotor means when said signal is displayed,means controlledby the selector for giving a selected alarm, andautomatic means for preventing the setting of the selector togive adifferent signal while the first named means is inoperative.

15'. In an alarm system, the combination wi'th'a' main circuit, having aplurality of bra-nches,-an electroqnagnet in each branch, and anarmature adapted to be held in a certain position'by each magnet whenenergized and to move to another position when the magnet isde-energized, and provided with means for displaying a signal when inone posltlon, of a selector having an arm for each armature, movabletherewith, contact members arranged and adaptedto be engaged by each armwhen its armature is in one position for completing the maincircuitthrough the arm, wherebywhen any arm is in one position the maincircuit will bebroken, an alarm device, said selector being connectedwith the main, circuit and. comprising means for controlling theoperation of said alarm device, and causing itto be operated apredetermined number of times to give a signal representing a num ber,whenever said arm is moved to the position for breaking the maincircuit, and means operative upon the motion of any arm to that positionfor preventing the other arms from' moving to corresponding positions. y

16'. In a device of the class described, the combination with a selectorhaving a plurality of arms, and selected signals on said arms butmovable independently thereof, saidarms being movable to operative. andinoperative positions, of a locking device, andmeans whereby when an armmoves to operative position the other arms will be automatically lockedin their initial inoperativepositions.

17. In deviceo'l the class described, the combination with a select-orhavinga plurality of arms movable into-two positions, in one of whichthey are operative and in the other of which they are inoperative, andmeansadapted to be set into operation by each of saidarms when moved tooperative position for giving a selected signal, of a locking platehaving means for engaging each of said arms while ininoperative positionand holding them there, means for norm-ally holdingsaid locking plate ininop when released by said means, means controlled by each of said armswhen moved to operatlve position for giving a selected sig nal, alocking plate for said arms arranged in position to lock the arms intheir inop erative positions, means for normally moving said plate intoits locking position, an electro-magnet connected with said lockingplate and adapted to move it into unlocking position whenever saidelertro-magnet is energized, and means whereby when oneof said armsmoves into operative position while the magnet is energized, said magnetwill be automatically disconnected from its source of power.

19. In a device of thecharacter described, the combination of aplurality of oscillata ble selector arms, an armature pivotallyconnected with the end of each arm, each armature having a character onits lower or front face, a series of electro magnets each in positionfor normally holding one of saidarmatures and its arm in a certainposition, whereby it the magnet is deenergi'zed the armature will befree to swing away from the magnet to display said character and the armwill be free to move with the armature, a sliding locking plate anelectro magnet normally holding said locking plate i in a-position inwhich all of said arms are free to drop.

20. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a plurality of selector arms, an armature connectedwith each arm,

each armature having a character, on its face, a series of electromagnets each in p0- srtmnfor normally holding one of said armatures andits arm in a certain position,

whereby it the magnet is de-energized the armature will be free to moveaway from the magnet to display said character, and the arm will be freeto move with the armature, a locking plate, an electro-magnet normallyholding said locking plate in a position in which all of said arms arefree to move, a circuit connected with said last named magnet and havingcontacts one of which is adapted to be broken by the movement of any oneof said arms, means whereby when said circuit is interrupted and theylast named magnet deenergized, said locking'plate will be moved into aposition to prevent all of the other arms from moving,

whereby the rest .of the armatures will be left free to move down.

21'. A selector for an alarm system coinprising a member havingconducting anl insulating regions, a plurality of series of contactseach adapted to engage one of said conducting regions in certainpositions thereofi an arm connected with each conducting region foroperating it, each arm having a conductor thereon insulated therefrom, acontact point mounted in position.

to engage each conductor and make electri-' cal contact therewithwhenthe arms are 111 inoperative position, a circuit connected armatureconnected with said detent, an

alarm circuithaving a pair of contact points I therein, means connectedwith said detent.

for holding said contact points apart when the armature is attracted bythe magnet, and means for moving said parts together when the armatureis released.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination with acircuit, and an electro magnet therein, of a seriesof movable selectormembers, each having means for completing contacts in said circuit whensaid selector means is in operative position and for interrupt ng saidc1rcu1t when any ,one of them is moved to inoperative position, of aclock work connected with the selector mechanism for operating the same,a detent for preventing the operation of the clock work, an armatureconnected with said detent and adapted'to be normally held by the magnetin a position to keep the detent in condition to prevent operation ofthe,

clock work, an alarm circuit having a pair of contact points therein.means connected with said detent for holding said points apart when saidarmature is attracted by the magnet, and means for moving said partstogether when the armature is released.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands, in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. i

Witnesses: ALBER E. FAY, QFORREST Wesson.

